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2641: St Paul's,
Bedford, England

Mystery
Worshipper: Aileen.The church:St
Paul's, Bedford, England.Denomination:Church
of England, Diocese
of St Albans.The building:
Construction began in the 13th century, although only the south
porch from the original building is visible today. Bits and
pieces were added during the 15th century, and a major rebuilding
and restoration took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is a large church, primarily in the Decorated and Perpendicular
styles. Porches galore, misericords, chapel, rood, stained glass
 it's all there. It is a beautiful church. The tower boasts
a ring of 12 bells, cast at various times from 1744 onward.
They were removed during World War II to guard against damage
from bombing, and rehung after war's end.The church:
They are Anglo-Catholic in their churchmanship and support a
number of local, national and international charities all enumerated
on their website. Morning and evening prayer are said daily,
with several weekday eucharists celebrated as well. There are
a said and sung eucharist each Sunday plus an informal Sunday
service twice each month.The neighbourhood:
Bedford, in the east of England, was an agricultural and commercial
centre during the Middle Ages, and after the Industrial Revolution
became an important manufacturing town. John Bunyan, author
of The Pilgrim's Progress, was born in nearby Elstow
and once preached in St Paul's. The late great comedian Ronnie
Barker was born in Bedford. There is a river quite close to
the church, and many homes and shops as well as schools. There
are many cars and buses around the town.The cast:
The Revd Richard Hibbert and another priest identified only
as "Father John", who I believe was a past vicar.The date & time:
Christmas Eve, Tuesday, 24 December 2013, 10.20pm (carols) and
11.00pm (eucharist).Comment: We have received a comment on this report.

What was the name of the service?
Christmas Midnight Eucharist.

How full was the building?
The building was very full. People had come to worship from
all over.

Did anyone welcome you personally?
As I came in, the person at the door gave me the paper with
all the hymns and information about the service, and told me
that there were Bibles where we sat. I was welcomed. Also when
I sat down, several people chatted to me.

Was your pew comfortable?
Very comfortable, with a soft black cushion to kneel down on
when necessary.

How would you describe
the pre-service atmosphere?
We had the choir, all dressed in red, singing amazing hymns
to us. It was lovely to see them and hear them. The vicar welcomed
all the people and gave explanations about the service, and
said there would be communion.

What were the exact opening
words of the service?
When the procession arrived at the crib, the president said,
"Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ be with you."

What books did the congregation use during the
service?Common Praise and The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard
Version.

What musical instruments were played?
Piano and organ.

Did anything distract you?
I worried about something I'd heard a while ago, that historically
speaking, Jesus may not have been born on Christmas day!

Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or
what?
We all stood and kept still as we sang many Christmas carols.
St Paul's Anglo-Catholic leanings were very much in evidence:
vestments, incense, ceremony.

Exactly how long was the sermon?
10 minutes.

On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
8  The preacher spoke very well.

In a nutshell, what was
the sermon about?
Jesus was born in a lowly stable, not in a fine home. Angels
and shepherds attended. Mary and Joseph gave the boy a humble
upbringing, and after 30 or so years he was executed and laid
in a grave. Yet he is our Lord and King, our Saviour. The angels,
the shepherds, Mary and Joseph  they all worked at getting
Jesus to us. Today we celebrate his birth; in due course we
will celebrate his death and resurrection. He is for us.

Which part of the service
was like being in heaven?
This service was excellent, the singing and the service and
the communion. God is loving us!

And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The line from the Apostles' Creed: "He descended into hell."
What must that have been like? Jesus came to save me and the
others, yet I do not always behave as I should.

What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Many people smiled and chatted to me as we left. The minister
smiled at me and shook my hand.

How would you describe
the after-service coffee?
We did not have tea or coffee  we all were going home.

How would you feel about
making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8  It was a really beautiful church and with very nice
people there. If I were living there maybe I'd join.

Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
I felt really pleased to be a Christian, having love from God, and I love God too.

What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
I will remember that angels worked to get Jesus to us all.

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